Untitled Document

New girders arrive for Lardo Bridge rebuild in McCall

The first three girders for the new Lardo Bridge in McCall on Idaho 55 were delivered to the site Thursday (Sept. 11). These first three girders were set on the far north side of the temporary structure, with the remaining three girders set on Sept. 17. The girders are approximately 157 feet long and weigh 197,000 lbs. apiece.

The girders were transported to McCall using Idaho 95, and then Idaho 55 over the Goose Creek pass. The pass closed to northbound traffic for about 40 minutes while the oversized load navigated the curves. Southbound traffic remained open.

Once they arrived in McCall, it took approximately two-and-one-half hours to complete setting the girders.

ITD is replacing the 83-year-old Lardo Bridge on the southwest shore of Payette Lake. Ralph L.Wadsworth and Lochner used ITD's conceptual design to complete the bridge design and will build a new bridge to accommodate one lane of traffic in each direction, along with bicycle and pedestrian facilities on each side of the bridge.

The new bridge is being constructed north of the existing structure. By using an accelerated construction technique called a lateral slide, the new bridge will eventually be slid into place after the old bridge is demolished. This will require a full closure, and traffic will be detoured to Boydstun Street and Deinhard Lane. The Lardo Bridge closure is anticipated for later this fall.

The lateral slide, accelerated construction method being used on Lardo Bridge is the first to occur in Idaho. This method reduces a full closure of the bridge by months.